cul de sac
No through road
A cul de sac is a street closed at one end, typically widening into a circular turnaround.
The French phrase means "bottom of the bag." Cul de sacs are common in suburban residential developments, prized for low traffic and child safety.
Figuratively, a cul de sac is any situation with no way forward: The negotiations had reached a cul de sac.
Situation without resolution
- dead endPassage without outlet
- no outletRoad with blocked passage
- terminusFinal destination point
- blind alleyPassage without outlet
no through road · turnaround · barrier · blockage · obstruction · stopping point · endpoint
Shift in opposite direction
- circleCurved closed shape
- bulbRounded storage organ
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
- roundaboutCircular junction for traffic
Residential area nearby
- subdivisionPortion of something larger
- residentialRelating to housing
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- tractArea of land
housing · homes · streetscape · quiet street · family · sidewalk · driveway · lawn
Freedom from observation
- enclaveSurrounded distinct territory
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- hideawaySecluded place of refuge
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
haven · solitude · quietude · sheltered · peaceful · undisturbed · tucked away · private drive
impasse
Situation without resolution
blind alley · no through road · turnaround · barrier · blockage · obstruction · stopping point · endpoint
turnaround
Shift in opposite direction
neighborhood
Residential area nearby
- subdivisionPortion of something larger
- residentialRelating to housing
- developmentProgress toward maturity
tract · housing · homes · streetscape · quiet street · family · sidewalk · driveway · lawn · garage
privacy
Freedom from observation
sanctuary · haven · solitude · quietude · sheltered · peaceful · undisturbed · tucked away · private drive · exclusive
- land surveyingsurveyor, plat, boundary marker, bounds, boundary
cul de sacthoroughfare
Main public road
arterial road · main road · highway · boulevard · bypass
cul de sacintersection
Point where paths meet
junction · crossroads · hub · interchange · open road
cul de sacway out
Means of departure
open road · breakthrough · escape route · clear path · opportunity